Japan, Day 4 – Tokyo with the Motohashi Family

Carol | August 9, 2015 | Japan, Travel | No Comments

Sunday, August 9th, 2015

Spent a wonderful day with Toshi, his wife Meyumi, and daughter Haruka. Karl worked with Toshi at HMA for about 2.5 years before he returned to Japan a little over a year ago. Toshi and his family kindly gave us a tour of several areas in and outside Tokyo. They encouraged us to try new things and watched excitedly as we tasted new foods to see what we thought.

Our day began with a visit to Tsukiji Fish Market, a very famous fish market known for its Tuna auction.

Hot and Cold Tamagooyaki (pan fried rolled egg). Delicious!

Sushi Zanmai – A famous conveyor belt style sushi restaurant.

Video: Sushi Zanmai Conveyor Belt Sushi

The one I didn’t like… crab paste…

Fatty Tuna! (So good!)

Ohayashi, Miyoshi PA – Essentially this is highway a truck stop/rest area. I really wanted to take a photo of the fancy bathroom stalls but was too shy. They had really neat partially curved doors and the stalls themselves had fancy Japanese toilets. However, there were no soap dispensers for cleaning hands or paper towels. This seems to be fairly common. I’m curious about their absence.

Hikawa Jinja Shinto Shrine

Torii – Visiting a shrine is referred to as Omairi. you don’t have to be Shinto to visit but there is a proper way to visit. the first thing you do is bow at the gate (Torii).

Performing ‘Temizu,’ a cleansing ritual, with Haruka.

Haruka surrounded by Ema – wooden plaques that wishes and desires are written upon

I am obviously one very lucky girl because I got the best fortune one can get. It’s going to be a good year.

Little Kyoto – shopping
Sweet potato ice cream

Oh sweet potato ice cream, how tasty you are. How beautiful your bright colors that stand out from afar. I expected you to be bitter but you were surprisingly sweet. A refreshing delight. The perfect afternoon treat.

Green tea ice cream
Tokyo tower

Hotel